It's a reach!

Darren Amos of Middleport Fire Company climbs 100 feet into the darkness in downtown Tamaqua late Wednesday as part of aerial training.

100-foot climb part of firemens' aerial training

By DONALD R. SERFASS dserfass@tnonline.com

Would you climb 100 feet upward into the blackness of a chilly night, your fingers stiff from the cold air?

Late Wednesday, firefighters in training did just that and proved they're made of the right stuff.

Men and women from Middleport, Tamaqua, Nesquehoning, Girardville and other locations gathered in Tamaqua for training in a hair-raising Basic Essentials of Firefighting educational session.

"It's one of four modules," explained Keith Oliphant, Tamaqua, state fire instructor for the past 15 years and a veteran firefighter. "The modules are the History of Fire Service, Fire Ground Support, Exterior Firefighting and Interior Firefighting."

Oliphant conducted the session at host Citizens Fire Company and utilized Tamaqua Borough's ladder truck. A similar session took place at the same firehouse in April. That one, too, was taught by Oliphant, who also serves as Tamaqua's head aerial foreman.

Firefighters were instructed in proper ladder technique and were given the opportunity to climb to the top of the aerial ladder. Nobody was forced to make the trek. All were permitted to venture as high as their comfort level allowed. Surprisingly, virtually every participant – male and female – made it to the top or very near the top rung.

Even through the hydraulic ladder is stable and tested for up to 2,000 pounds capacity, it usually wobbles when a person's weight reaches the top section, an unnerving experience.

Still, the firefighters were up to the challenge.

"I went until my head went over (the top rung)," explained Josh Jacobs of New Columbus Fire Company, Nesquehoning.

Another firefighter who took the long journey upward in the brisk air said she was happy about the achievement.